Young England ace signs for Fylde

The talented 20-year-old was in the England under-20 squad last season and had previously represented England at under-18 level.

The former Stockport Grammar School student started playing rugby at the age of seven at his local club Stockport RUFC.

He progressed through the Sale Sharks’ academy and has made numerous appearances for the Sale Jets’ team.

Morton made his senior National League debut last season for Macclesfield where he started in four matches and was a replacement in another.

He has built a reputation as a skilled goal-kicker.

Fylde player-coach Paul Arnold said: “We’re excited to have Tom with us, hopefully at least for the remainder of the season.

“We don’t have cover for first choice number 10 Chris Johnson and he’s off to play for England Counties in late-February and March.

“We’re looking forward to helping Tom develop his game in the very competitive National One environment.

“He’s a talented young player and the Sharks have high hopes for him.”

Morton is likely to get a taste of action in a Fylde jersey for the first time at the Woodlands this afternoon.

Arnold said: “We’ve added him to the replacements’ bench against Coventry to help him integrate into our squad.”

Morton said: “I’m really looking forward to getting involved with a talented set of lads here at Fylde.

“It’s a great club who play an attacking style of rugby, week in, week out, to which I can hopefully contribute.”

Fylde were forced to make a late change to their starting line-up this afternoon for the National League One clash with Cov.

Back row forward Dave Fairbrother sustained an injury at Rossylyn Park last Saturday, so Evan Stewart returns.

Morton takes Stewart’s place on the bench.

Back row forward Dominic Moon has left Fylde and linked up with Rossendale.

Moon joined Fylde in the close season from Preston Grasshoppers and has figured for the first team on several occasions, but after a talk with player coach Paul Arnold, it was agreed that a parting of the ways was the best course of action for both parties.

Arnold said he was planning to blood younger players in the back row in the closing weeks of the season.

Arnold said: "We had a chat about things going forward - Dominic is a 100 per cent genuine lad, but maybe the move to our level at Fylde a couple of years two late in his career.

"He has a good work rate and attitude, but we have players like Joe Robinson and Jamie Brookes that we will be looking at in the back row."

Moon was one of four players signed from Preston in the summer along with Pete Altham, Phil Mills and Lewis Allen.

Mills is the only one from that quartet still at Fylde.